The Los Angeles Dodgers lost a member of their starting rotation for at least 10 days on Thursday after Roki Sasaki suffered a blistering in the fourth inning of his start against the Atlanta Braves .
Sasaki was battling through one of his rougher starts since the All-Star break. In the second half of the year, he has really figured things out, but now the Japanese pitcher is out of the pitcher's mound.
With yet another starting rotation injury this season, Lauer is set to assume the opening , according to manager Dave Roberts, after he was moved to the bullpen for just one appearance.
While Lauer is serviceable as a starter, there is now an opening on the roster, and Gavin Stone needs to factor into the roster's plans.
Jul 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone (35) delivers to the plate in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Stone has been nursing shoulder complications after a serious surgery that took place two years ago. He started on the spring training roster, made one appearance, and has been nursing it in Arizona ever since.
He re-emerged a few weeks ago, and Stone has looked stellar down in Triple-A during his rehab assignment.
Through four games started and 11.2 innings, Stone has a 1.54 ERA with 18 strikeouts and just one walk.
The big righty possesses a big arsenal with six different pitches, giving him the ability to adjust from hitter to hitter. His velocity is back to pre-surgery levels, and overall, the stuff looks the same as the last time he pitched in the major leagues.
Stone offers the ability to provide length either out of the bullpen or as a starter. With the Dodgers set to pick the best 14 pitchers for the bullpen, it is hard to see a world where Stone is not one of those.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone against the Cleveland Guardians during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It is understandable that the Dodgers are being very careful about how they use Stone, but with only a month of the regular season left and the postseason coming up, the kid gloves need to come off soon.
In any role, Stone can be a difference-maker, and there is now a window to find out what he can do.
